Polaris – Abstract Corten Steel Sculpture on the Seafront of Santurtzi

Contemporary Urban Landmark by Public Artist Juanjo Novella

A star anchored to the land, guiding with light and form

Polaris, the corten steel sculpture by Juanjo Novella installed along the maritime promenade of Santurtzi (Spain), rises as a luminous symbol in honor of the sea. Inspired by the North Star, it connects earth and sky, past and future, community and identity. This urban art installation transforms the seafront into a place of meaning, where the celestial meets the coastal landscape through abstract and powerful form.

Coastal integration: where public art meets marine heritage

Positioned near the town’s marina, Polaris honors Santurtzi’s nautical roots. The sculpture anchors the promenade as a site-specific intervention in public space, acting both as a visual landmark and a poetic beacon. In this setting, the artwork contributes to urban beautification with art, offering residents and visitors a symbolic reference point along their daily walk or seafront experience.

Corten steel: permanence, texture, and interaction with light

Crafted from weathering corten steel, the sculpture features star-like patterns that interact with natural light. This metal, known for its earthy tones and durability, evolves over time, mirroring the passage of tides and the aging of coastal materials. The cut-out design lets the sunlight pierce through, creating a dance of shadows on the pavement that changes with the time of day—a living sculpture shaped by light.

Polaris: a contemporary star in the urban sky

Abstract yet immediately evocative, the sculpture reinterprets the North Star—a universal point of orientation—as a symbol of collective direction and identity. Its radial structure reflects both the dynamism of the cosmos and the rhythm of the sea. Through minimalist design and monumental scale, Polaris serves as a modern urban monument and a spiritual compass in the heart of a coastal community.

Sculptural space that invites presence and contemplation

As with all of Novella’s works, Polaris is not merely to be viewed but inhabited. It redefines the walkway by offering a place for pause, wonder, and reflection. Aligned with the artist’s philosophy that “a sculpture is not a thing, but a place,” it represents interactive public art that deepens our connection to landscape and memory.

Symbol of community and visual identity

Since its installation in 2000, Polaris has become part of the local visual identity—a quiet emblem of Santurtzi’s relationship with the sea. It’s an example of how large-scale outdoor sculptures can revitalize spaces and create emotional resonance in daily urban life. Its presence aligns with goals of urban regeneration through art and the creation of iconic public artworks for municipal spaces.

Looking to illuminate your city with public art?

Polaris is proof that monumental public sculptures can act as landmarks, storytellers, and cultural anchors. If you’re planning a project and exploring how to hire a sculptor for a public urban installation, Juanjo Novella offers creative, durable, and symbolic solutions that blend seamlessly with the local environment. A trusted name in art for public spaces and sculptural design for cities by the sea.